Skip to Content

Passion for fashion? Visit the new StyleList!

Posts with tag makeup

Spaced Out

Filed under: Cosmetics



Creator of Huge Lips, Skinny Hips Lip Gloss (at Scoop, Ron Robinson and b-glowing), Karen Robinovitz takes us through the trials and tribulations of creating a beauty brand from scratch.


Before I go on, note: Everything I'm blogging right now happened a while ago (at this time, the product is actually in stores, but I want to give you all the background to catch you up on how I got to today).

So, picking up from where I left off last week, I had made it into Scoop, my first choice in stores. Next stop: Space.NK -- the British prestige chain that is "the" place to go for beauty products.

It's sophisticated, sparse, Calvin Klein-esque and houses only about 60 well-edited brands.

The Space.NK chain was making a play for the U.S. and opened four stores, two in NYC. Plus, there was the store-within-a-store deal they struck with Bloomingdale's. A friend of mine knew the Space.NK founder, a very inspiring woman whose initials are, go figure, "NK." She introduced us through an email and the NK team asked to meet me... in London.

Continue reading Spaced Out

'Twilight' Beauty - The Movie Saga to Launch Vampy Makeup Line

Filed under: Style in the News

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart on the set of "The Twilight Saga: New Moon." Photo: Summit Entertainment

What Robert Pattinson is to Hollywood, "Twilight Beauty" will be to the makeup world.

In other words, brace yourself for mass hysteria.

Stephenie Meyer's book series and the "Twilight" film saga have inspired a range of beauty products.

You were probably as enraptured as I was by the vampires' sparkly skin, flushed cheeks and juicy lips (especially Edward Cullen's).

Continue reading 'Twilight' Beauty - The Movie Saga to Launch Vampy Makeup Line

Beauty bLAB - To Make a Long Store-y Short

Filed under: Cosmetics



Creator of Huge Lips, Skinny Hips Lip Gloss (at Space NK, Scoop and b-glowing.com), Karen Robinovitz takes us through the trials and tribulations of creating a beauty brand from scratch.


Before I go on, note: Everything I'm blogging right now happened a while ago (at this time, the product is actually in stores, but I want to give you all the background to catch you up on how I got to today).

Purple Lab was on its way -- but homeless.

You can't get any kind of media coverage on a product if there's no place to buy it. So, press kit was put on hold and operation distribution began.

Here's the thing about retailing in today's world. The brick-and-mortar retail model has changed dramatically with the increase of online shopping and the decrease of the economy. Plus, more people are buying from HSN and QVC, which used to be somewhat lowbrow but is now kinda cool.

Continue reading Beauty bLAB - To Make a Long Store-y Short

Online Beauty Deals - Part Deux

Filed under: Steals and Deals

Wen by Chaz Dean Lavender Volumizing Trio is on sale this Saturday (June 13) on QVC.com. Photo courtesy of QVC.

Last week we rounded up the best beauty buys (read: discounts and freebies) on the Web. And since we love to feed the beauty obsessed, we decided to do it again. You're welcome!

Bobbi Brown Summer Shopping Event: It's only until tomorrow (June 11), so hurry up and get 25 percent off all your favorites, like the amazing Bronze Shimmer Brick Compact. A portion of the proceeds is going to Dress for Success, so you can glam up, guilt free. Bonus: They're offering free shipping on orders of $60 or more.

Morris Organics Skin Care Sale: Stephanie Morris started this avocado oil-based line after she discovered how well the main ingredient worked on her dry, sensitive skin. A set (body scrub, lotion, oil and eye cream) of the natural, anti-aging skin care products, which work well on oily skin, too, is now just $67.50 (normally $95). Plus, get free shipping. Offer good through end of summer.

Wen by Chaz Dean Hair Care on QVC:
To celebrate its 23rd anniversary, on June 13 QVC is offering numerous discounts and promotions. Deals are usually kept under wraps until the day of, but we did some digging and found out that Saturday Wen by Chaz Dean's Lavender Volumizing Trio will be available for $47.06 (usually $57). You'll get 16 ounces (that's a lot!) of the cult-favorite cleansing conditioner, and a 6 oz. bottle of the styling cream and the volumizing treatment spray. (To catch a live demo on how these products work, tune in to Dean's segment on QVC this Saturday from 2-3 pm ET.)

Continue reading Online Beauty Deals - Part Deux

Free Beauty Stuff! Check Out These Sweet Online Deals

Filed under: Steals and Deals

Pangea Organics lip balm, scrub, cleanser, mask and eye cream - all for a mere $100. Photo courtesy of Pangea Organics.

Times are tough but that doesn't mean your beauty routine has to suffer. Score purse-friendly and priceless (literally!) products with these awesome online beauty deals.

Pangea Organics Radiance Gift Set: A five-piece skincare set ($167 value) for just $100! It's not available just yet, but if you pre-order online by June 15 you'll get free shipping. Included in the set, the facial mask people go absolutely nuts for, plus everything else you need to renew your skin the natural way.

Estée Lauder Freebies Galore: Sweet deal alert! Through June 14, when you spend $39.50 or more on esteelauder.com you'll receive over $100 worth of free products (moisturizer, makeup and fragrance). Best part is that you get to pick the ones you want! May I suggest the excellent DayWear Plus to protect your skin from environmental damage?

Continue reading Free Beauty Stuff! Check Out These Sweet Online Deals

Beauty bLAB - Money, Money, Money

Filed under: Cosmetics



Creator of Huge Lips, Skinny Hips Lip Gloss (at Space NK, Scoop and b-glowing.com), Karen Robinovitz takes us through the trials and tribulations of creating a beauty brand from scratch.


Before I go on, note: Everything I'm blogging right now happened a while ago (at this time, the product is actually in stores, but I want to give you all the background to catch you up on how I got to today).

This week's topic: How much is this thing going to sell for? I needed to have a price before I could complete the press kit and what I didn't know then is that in the beauty world, the best way to create a profitable company is to have a cost of goods (COG) that is about 20% of the wholesale price.

For example, if a product is retailing at $20, it is typically sold to a retailer at $10, so the ideal COG would be $2. But you have to sell a whole lot of product to make real money because when you start production, the minimums are so high that you wind up shelling out a lot of dough on the inventory.

Our gloss is far more expensive than $2. To turn the best profit, we'd need to sell the product for $50. Who's buying a $50 gloss? I'm not and I'm the type of girl who can get suckered into buying anything!

Continue reading Beauty bLAB - Money, Money, Money

Beauty bLAB - Cha-Ching! The Spending Has Begun

Filed under: Cosmetics, Beauty Tips



Creator of Huge Lips, Skinny Hips Lip Gloss (at Space NK, Scoop and b-glowing.com), Karen Robinovitz takes us through the trials and tribulations of creating a beauty brand from scratch.


Life was stressful. To say the least.

I was a one-woman company, figuring out how to manufacture, manage the finances of it all, deal with the legal aspects and now I was beginning to think about sales and PR.

On the component front, I placed an order for 30,000 (5,000 of each color). I knew I would have to cut a big check, but there is major difference between knowing you have to write a check and actually writing one! And it was -- cha-ching -- time to pay the fiddler. I owed at least half -- 12 k! -- when you're a new client with no credit, you pay half up front and half upon delivery.

Now I had to wait about 12 weeks for the components to come.

This was fall of last year and the launch was slated for spring. Patience... not my strong suit. But for some instant gratification (and to jump ahead for a sec), you can find my products here now!

In the meantime, I worked on the press kit, which is what is sent out to all editors, writers and media in order to introduce them to the product. To get into "long leads" (PR lingo meaning the monthly magazines who work three, four, sometimes even more in advance of the publishing date), I had to start seeding the beauty editors by February. And before I could write a press kit, I had to hire a PR firm. (By the way, did I mention that during all of this, I had a full-time job? Mama needed a salary!)

Remember, I am not a trusfundafarian!

Continue reading Beauty bLAB - Cha-Ching! The Spending Has Begun

Beauty BLAB - Color Me Happy

Filed under: Cosmetics, Beauty Tips




Creator of Huge Lips, Skinny Hips Lip Gloss (at Space NK!), Karen Robinovitz takes us through the trials and tribulations of creating a beauty brand from scratch.

We had the packaging look and feel down. I was happy as can be. I now needed to figure out the colors of the six-shade gloss line -- fun, right?

I polled my makeup artist friends – I am blessed with having a few fabulous ones! I asked them what colors they would bring to someone's house if they had no idea what that person looked like or what color their skin tone was. They unanimously came up with the same replies: a light pink or nude, a rich pink, a red, a peach, a color, and clear. Now, some labs have specific color departments where their sole mission is to create a variety of hues. Mine didn't.

C'est moi engaging in my favorite hobby, which inspired the shade Kitty Poledancer. We all have one lurking inside of us! Photo courtesy of Karen Robinovitz.

So I did my colors the old fashioned way – I spent about $800 at Sephora, buying every key shade I could find. I got empty pots and mixing sticks, rolled up my sleeves, and went to town on my coffee table. A few hours later, both arms were covered in what appeared to be Indian paint. There was gloss all over the cowhide rug (oops!). My lips were raw from applying and rubbing off and applying and rubbing off and applying... you get the point. But I had six ultra chic, universally-flattering, sheer shades in front of me that I was dying over! Then the really fun part – naming them! It was like giving birth to six babies at once (call me Angie!).

Their monikers came easily – as if they named themselves.

Continue reading Beauty BLAB - Color Me Happy

Jake Bailey - Exclusive Interview

Filed under: Cosmetics, Interviews, Beauty Tips

StyleList's Annie Scott sat down with Jake Bailey to get a makeover and talk makeup trends for Spring 2009. For before and after shots, tips and tricks, and more information about celebrity makeup artist Jake Bailey -- who looks like Ugly Betty's Daniel Meade and works on Katy Perry and Annie Lennox, just to name a couple of his favorites -- click through our interview!

He has some very affordable MAX Factor products to recommend -- browse below!

Makeup Artist Jake Bailey Shares His Secrets

    Jake Bailey - Celebrity Makeup Artist

    StyleList: What would you say is the big thing in makeup for Spring 2009?

    Annie Scott

    Jake Bailey and StyleList's Annie Scott

    Jake Bailey: Definitely a light, bright lip, clean skin and a coat of rich black mascara. It's really, really simple, anyone can do it -- like the look I did on you yesterday. (shown)

    Annie Scott

    Before (with makeup removed -- Annie would never show up like that)

    SL: And you used the same product on my lips as on my cheeks!

    Annie Scott

    After - The Spring 2009 Look by Jake Bailey

    JB: Yeah, it's super easy. You just need a little dot or light football player marks (with the Vivid Impact Lipcolor by MAX Factor, shown here in Rose Rage), and then you blend. Spring's all about having a really light, fresh texture. Use a light liquid foundation like MAX Factor ColorGenius, which just looks like skin, sets itself and doesn't need powder. Spring is really about bright lipcolors that liven up your complexion. Just a nice strong lip, balanced out with a touch of cream blush and a rich coat of mascara give a fully finished look.

    SL: And really simple.

    JB: Yeah, really simple.

    Annie Scott

    Vivid Impact Lipcolor by MAX Factor in Rose Rage

    SL: And it's okay to put Vivid Impact Lipcolor on your face?

    JB: Yes. Well, on your cheeks. Maybe not all over your face.

    SL: But I might have a really good idea!

    JB: Yeah, yeah, I mean, let me know how that goes. But it does make a beautiful cream blush. I don't know if they intended it that way, but with the texture it provides, your skin just glows right through it.

    SL: And it's not gonna clog your pores?

    JB: No -- it's not waxy like a lot of lipsticks I've used in the past. It just feels like a lip balm.

    SL: And I had it on my cheeks yesterday and I have not broken out.

    JB: Yeah, if you wear makeup, you should use an oil-based cleanser every night to really remove your makeup.

    Max Factor

    MAX Factor ColorGenius Oil-Free Foundation

    SL:And why do you recommend oil based? A lot of people I know are really into oil free.

    JB: Well, oil-free products like ColorGenius are great -- you don't necessarily want to put oil on your face and just let it sit there. But oil-based cleansing products actually remove oil. Oil cuts oil, it really just strips every molecule of makeup off your face.

    SL: Cool.

    JB: And you'll find, when you're done cleansing, you don't feel oily at all. Your skin just feels very, very clean.

    Max Factor

    Katy Perry - A Client of Jake Bailey

    SL: What about bronzer? Are we bronzing this season?

    JB: Well, I love bronzer! I do like the look of a tan, I think it looks healthy, but we all know the risks of sun damage. Those who have olive skin, who easily get color, respond better to self tanner than people with really fair skin or skin with pink undertones. So they can use a self tanner or go in the sun in moderation. But if you have fair skin, you know, that's beautiful. I really don't understand why so many women with pale skin are so desperate to be tan. It's so delicate and feminine and sexy. Look at Evan Rachel Wood, Nicole Kidman, Katy Perry. And it really does lend itself to being very "now," with what's in this spring. It's very angelic.

    Getty Images

    Clean & Clear Blotting Paper

    JB: Powder's not necessarily for everyone. I do use powder quite a bit -- for red carpet, music videos, television shows, I mean, anytime you're on camera or under hot lights, powder's great. But in day-to-day life -- that natural glow, that natural sheen -- is really important. I think that's what's most attractive. If you do want to use powder, I recommend blotting first, Clean & Clear makes a really good blotting paper, and then applying powder.

    drugstore.com

    Sarah Jessica Parker

    SL: Did you hear that Sarah Jessica Parker uses toilet seat covers to blot?

    JB: Well, you know -- in a pinch! I was just saying yesterday that the kind of makeup we were doing, which happens to be really "now," is the kind of makeup you can do in an airport bathroom. Just mix your lotion with foundation, add a little concelear, lipstick, dot lipstick on your cheeks, blend, then go into a stall, pull out a toilet seat cover and blot.

    SL: And you're all set!

    JB (laughing): I don't do toilet seat covers on my clients, though, for the record.

    SL: And you mix foundation with lotion to get the SPF?

    JB: That's right. Our foundation doesn't have SPF. Many companies are putting SPF in the foundation, but the amount of foundation you'd have to put on to get the benefit is way more than you should probably be wearing. So, I definitely recommend mixing equal parts moisturizer and SPF and foundation. If you're looking for more coverage, definitely use the SPF first, let it soak in, then do your foundation.

    Getty Images

    MAX Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper Mascara

    SL: Can you tell me about the crazy business card mascara trick you were using yesterday?

    JB: When I was first starting out with makeup and I was trying to learn, I was teaching myself. Mascara was a real challenge. I couldn't figure out how to get it to look the way I wanted it to look.

    SL: You were teaching yourself -- you mean you didn't go to makeup school?

    JB: No. I mean, I apprenticed with people like Kevyn Aucoin and Pat McGrath, and I was able to assist on shows. I certainly learned a lot more from them than I learned from myself. But this is one of the tricks that I figured out on my own.

    SL: How does it work?

    Max Factor



Dior Master Class - How to Get a Beautiful Bronzed Look

Filed under: Beauty Tips

We had a plan, and the tools to make it happen! Photo by C. Lincoln

Dramatic makeup on the runway is inspiring, but few of us have the skills or patience to recreate the looks at home. That's why we were thrilled to get an invitation for a Dior Master Makeup class at Neiman Marcus, led by professional makeup artist Karen Hummel.

Along with 15 other lucky ladies, we watched Karen transform a willing volunteer from regular chick to runway goddess, giving her the trendy bronzed look that's perfect for spring and summer. Then we all got a chance to try doing it ourselves, with expert guidance from the Dior experts -- and mixed results!

Continue reading Dior Master Class - How to Get a Beautiful Bronzed Look

Backstage Beauty at Design Cares 2009

Filed under: Events: On the Scene, Interviews

Models, stylists, and designers came together for the Third Annual Design Cares--a fashion benefit in support of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at The Armory in New York City. Last night's event featured a runway show of exclusive evening gowns that were auctioned in support of the world's premier pediatric cancer research and treatment center. And StyleList got an all-access beauty pass to catch up with makeup artist Chantel Miller and hairstylist Edward Tricomi as they worked their magic.

SHOW:
Kaleidoscope of Dreams – Fashion Event for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

MAKEUP: Chantel Miller, Lead Makeup Artist for MAC

HAIR: Edward Tricomi of the Warren Tricomi Salon

BEAUTY SNAPSHOT: Roaring Twenties glamour with a modern twist

Continue reading Backstage Beauty at Design Cares 2009

Beauty bLAB - Testing, Componentry & More Frantic Phone Calls!

Filed under: Cosmetics, Beauty Tips




Creator of Huge Lips, Skinny Hips Lip Gloss (coming very soon to Space NK!), Karen Robinovitz takes us through the trials and tribulations of creating a beauty brand from scratch.

So where did we leave off last week? Oh yah, we were at testing, remember? So imagine that you have a formula. Here's what your lab would do next...

Continue reading Beauty bLAB - Testing, Componentry & More Frantic Phone Calls!

The Sak, Physicians Formula and Altru - StyleList Earth Day Giveaway

Filed under: Cosmetics, Contests & Giveaways, Green Fashion


the sakBeing good to the planet and and being good to yourself are far from mutually exclusive. Sustainable style is definitely fashionable, and this week, in honor of Earth Day, we're hooking you up! Not only are we giving away a fabulous prize, but GreenDaily is also doing a fashionably fabulous eco giveaway, giving you two ways to win!

One lucky winner will receive the following:

  • The Sak Sakroots Eco Harmony Dip Drawstring in Ink to Azure - This bag combines fashion and function with eco-friendliness. Made of 100% Bamboo and Recycled Cotton, it also sports some eco-cool bling: a hand carved and painted mandala made of sono-wood, a sustainable wood from Indonesia, attached with traditional Indonesian prayer beads.
  • Altru's Unity Collection - A soy candle, aromatic incense, and fragrance oil are a great start in making your home into an eco-conscious retreat.

Continue reading The Sak, Physicians Formula and Altru - StyleList Earth Day Giveaway

French Elle Features Stars Sans Makeup on Covers

Filed under: Celebrities with Style

elle covers
We don't even like to run to the grocery store without at least a touch of powder and a swipe (or three) of mascara, so we're pretty much in awe of the celebrities who have posed for the cover of French Elle without a stitch of makeup on their faces. Admit it -- you are, too!

Eva Herzigova, 36, Monica Bellucci, 44, and Sophie Marceau, 42, each have their own 'Stars Sans Fards' (or Stars Without Rouge/Makeup) French Elle cover, as you can see above. And we think it's a good reminder that a steady hand with the makeup brush doesn't equal beauty -- not only do these women have gorgeous features, but there's something inherently attractive about their openness and willingness to be themselves for all the world to see.

Continue reading French Elle Features Stars Sans Makeup on Covers

Spring '09 - Pretty in Peach

Filed under: Cosmetics, Product Reviews, Beauty Tips



For those of you who long to be on-trend but just can't stomach the thought of rocking up to the office wearing bright pink lipstick or neon polish, fear not: I have something for you -- peach.

Soft, pretty peach is having quite a moment. More exciting than neutrals, but less in-yo'-face than this season's brights, peach makeup has been popping up everywhere that matters.

Continue reading Spring '09 - Pretty in Peach

How You Voted

    Curly or Straight?
    While 30% of you think she's so beautiful that her hair doesn't even matter, 49% of you prefer her curls. Get the full story here.

    Kevin Winter, Getty Images | Jon Furniss, WireImage

    Offensive or artistic?
    Just over 50% of StyleList readers said they weren't offended by this shirt, but didn't know if it was totally appropriate to wear in public. Unfortunately, that wasn't the opinion in Dubai. Get the full story here.

    Photo: eBay

    ebay

    Strapless dresses on 13-year-olds
    StyleList readers think strapless dresses should be saved for older girls -- 41% of you think the look is too mature. Get the full story here.

    Getty Images

    Is Megan the new Angelina?
    Half of you think Megan needs to get her own identity and quit copying Angie, but more than a quarter said Jolie doesn't stand a chance against this Fox. Get the full story here.

    Getty Images

    Did Calvin Klein respond to public's outcry?
    The controversial "threesome" billboard in Soho has been replaced with this one, but 51% of you believe it was just to keep people talking about the brand, not because CK caved. Get the full story here.

    Rachel Been, AOL

    Calvin Klein's Racy Ad
    Is it art or practically pornography? About 40% of StyleList readers found this billboard obscene. Get the full story.

    Maggie Coughlan, AOL

    Palin's Pedi
    Do you think Sarah Palin's funky pedicure was appropriate? If so, you're in good company -- 68% of you said it was fun and fabulous. Get the full story.

    Getty Images

    Bright, Light, or Dark as Night?
    How do you like your toenails painted? Over half of StyleList readers prefer their piggies with bright, perky polish. Get the full story.

    Getty Images

    Nipple cream as lip balm?
    StyleList readers are willing to try anything! 80% of you either love the idea or, at the very least, think it's worth a try. Get the full story.

    notsogoodphotography on flickr

    Skip the skinny jeans
    Skinny jeans might be bad for you, but more than 50 percent of you never wore them anyway! Get the full story.

    Getty Images

Featured Galleries

StyleList Fashion Blog bloggers (30 days)

#BloggerPostsCmts
1Bee-Shyuan Chang530
2Maureen Dempsey350
3Kristen Seymour290
4Marissa Gold230
5Amber Stolec200
6Jessica B. Matlin170
7Courtney Dunlop160
8Ben Widdicombe110
9Sarah Cristobal70
10Melissa Foss40